It will take some miracle work to get this version of the Toronto Raptors into the top tier of NBA contenders. Still, this team has the potential to make the playoffs if they can fill some of the obvious gaps on their roster. Losing streak or not, we saw what a healthy and well-balanced Raptors attack looked like back in November. I don't think that was for nothing; it showed they could be a sleeper threat and make some noise, even if they weren't quite at the elite level yet.
Toronto is currently dealing with the troubling absence of RJ Barrett. His significant contributions as a scorer, passer, and rebounder are greatly missed by the Raptors, especially as they have had a disappointing December campaign so far. And while that is a clear-cut issue in itself, the Raptors have also been dealing with another internal roster weakness. They have long needed a true backup center who can step in for Jakob Poeltl with more athleticism and physicality.
With the date now reading December 15, many NBA players who signed contracts over the offseason are officially eligible to be traded. The Toronto Raptors have a perfect team to call up that effectively addresses both of their roster concerns: enter the Brooklyn Nets.
For me, one of the most puzzling storylines in the 2025-26 campaign has been the surprising decline in Ochai Agbaji's career. I’ve talked about this many times before. Last season, Agbaji had a breakout year, establishing himself as a credible 3-and-D threat and a perfect role player for the Raptors. I expected his role to shrink somewhat this season, but I did not anticipate a complete falloff. He is now barely shooting over 10 percent from three, after averaging 40 percent in the 2024-25 season.
While Agbaji is occasionally included in the rotation, it's mostly because of his role as a wing defender. His offensive contributions have diminished, and with his expiring $6.3 million contract, Toronto should definitely consider giving him a fresh start to revive his middling career in a new home. I believe the Raptors and Nets have a perfect trade deal to muster up, with the Raptors sending Agbaji to Brooklyn in exchange for 24-year-old Day'Ron Sharpe.
Raptors should target Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe
Last season, I mentioned Sharpe's name as a potential candidate for the Raptors to consider at center, along with others like Walker Kessler (who is now injured and no longer an option) and Nick Richards (another possibility). Now, more than ever, this could actually happen.
In Sharpe, the Raptors can finally utilize Sandro Mamukelashvili as more of a stretch four than a center. This allows Toronto to build a strong bench unit featuring Jamal Shead, one of Gradey Dick or Ja'Kobe Walter, Collin Murray-Boyles, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Day'Ron Sharpe. Sharpe has made his name as one of the NBA’s top offensive rebounders, an area where the Raptors are in desperate need of a boost. He is also a strong interior defender and lob threat, which is especially valuable given Poeltl's slow-footedness in these injury-riddled developments.
I'd reckon Toronto would probably need to include a second-round pick or maybe two to sweeten the deal, but it likely wouldn't take more than that to get it done. Even though Toronto tends to value their draft picks, I believe this is a necessary move if they want to stay competitive with some of the stronger teams out East come playoff time. Regarding Agbaji, moving to Brooklyn gives him a chance to play more minutes, which could help him find a better shooting rhythm. It could also give him an opportunity to prove his worth and potentially earn an extension or find a new team down the line.